Transcription

1 BOSTON UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES LAITY AND MINISTRY IN YVES M.-J. CONGAR, O.P: EVOLUTION, EVALUATION AND ECUMENICAL PERSPECTIVES by Richard J. Beauchesne M.A. (Theology), Oblate College, Natick, Mass, 1960 submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 3, 1974

2 ii APPROVAL

3 iii DEDICATION Pour l'encouragement qu'ils m'ont toujours donné, je dédie ce travai à ma mère, Maria, qui la première m'a parlé de Dieu, et à mon frère, René." ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A most heartfelt thank you to: Père Yves Congar, o.p. for his personal involvement in this dissertation and for the inspiration I received in studying his works; Dr. J. Robert Nelson, of Boston University, for his support and advice, and for the Christ-like dedication which at all times has characterized his relationship with me; Dr. Earl Kent Brown, of Boston University, for the diligent reading of this dissertation; my religious family, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate of the St. John the Baptist Province, U.S.A.; The Very Reverend Roger Roy, O.M.I., Provincial, and Mr. Raymond Tague, for making it possible for me to pursue a theological career; my most devoted secretary and consultant, Sr. Françoise C. Tessier, P.M. for her friendship and utmost dedication; my professors at Oblate College and Seminary, Natick, Massachusetts, The late Reverend Normand Beauchesne, O.M.I., my brother, The Reverend Alban LeHoullier, O.M.I. and The Reverend Maurice Savard, O.M.I., for having initiated me to the disciplines of Scripture and Theology; The Reverend Donald W. Arel, O.M.I. and The Reverend Charles A. Breault, O.M.I., my confrères at 60 Old Colony Road, for their concern, their constant encouragement and help; The Reverend Clarence C. Ménard,O.M.I., The Reverend Lucien J. Richard, O.M.I. and Sr. Helen Wright, S.N.D., for their support and academic assistance; andvery devoted friends, Mrs. Ghislaine Parenteau and Sr. Ellen Veinotte, S.N.D.

4 iv ABSTRACT LAITY AND MINISTRY IN YVES M.J. CONGAR, O.P.: EVOLUTION, EVALUATION AND ECUMENICAL PERSPECTIVES Richard J. Beauchesne, Ph. D. Major Professor: J. Robert Nelson, Professor of Systematic Theology, Boston University School of Theology Definition of the Problem This dissertation deals with Yves Congar's concept of the laity and ministry, its evolution, evaluation and ecumenical perspectives within the framework of Congar's ecclesiology. The concepts of laity and ministry are considered both in se and in their interrelationships. A last section describes points of ecumenical rapprochement and éloignement. The exposition of Congar's concepts of laity and ministry is made more difficult because they have been evolving over the years. Although Congar now affirms: "I have always objected to defining the priesthood by utilizing the concept of mediation," 1 in his earlier works 2 he speaks of two ways of sharing in the mediation of Christ; namely, that of the hierarchy and that of the faithful. He now states: "There is no sacrament of the priesthood except Baptism: there is a sacrament of order." 3 Methodology of the Dissertation Throughout the dissertation a chronological study is made of Congar's works: Congar, prior to 1941 (Chapter I), From 1941 to 1960 (Chapter II), In the 1960's and Early 1970's (Chapter IV] At each phase, there is an evaluation of Congar's theological conclusions. This is done by utilizing a recent theological tool referred to as the model approach. In Chapter III, a key concept in relation to Congar's theology of the laity and ministry; namely, that of the Christian 1 A personal letter from Congar, Oct. 17, For example, In Jalons pour une théologie du laïcat, Unam Sancta 23 (Paris: Cerf 1954), p A personal letter, Oct. 17, 1971.

5 v cult, which is explained. In Chapter IV the more recent Congar is evaluated in reference to contemporary Protestant studies on the Church, the laity and ministry. Evaluation and Conclusions The sacramental model is suggested as the one that describes Congar's ecclesiology: from a significantly undifferentiated sacramental realism (Chapter I), Congar has evolved to a more nuanced sacramental model, which, nevertheless, remains clerically oriented (Chapter II). Through his understanding of Christian cult along with the spécifique chrétien - the priestly quality of each Christian - (Chapter III), he is led to emphasize ever more strongly the communion aspect of the Church which is still seen from the perspective of the sacramental model (Chapter IV). Prior to 1950, Congar had a mediatory understanding of the ministerial priesthood. In the '40's and early '50's, however, he minimizes whatever mediatory dimensions remain in his earlier writings. The unique mediation of Jesus Christ is firmly ascertained. Nevertheless, Congar speaks of a double participation in Christ's mediation (that of the ministerial priesthood and that of the universal priesthood); thus, he has not left completely intact the unique mediation of Christ. Chapter III reflects a major turning point in Congar's understanding of the ministerial priesthood as a ministry tending the community of the sacerdotal people of God in order to activate its priestly qualities. In the final phase of his evolution (Chapter IV), there is a clear nonmediatory definition of the ministerial priesthood which consists in a representation within the Christian community - a representation related to the leadership aspect of Christ as Head of the Church. As such, the ministerial priesthood is conceived as a service within the community. With regard to ecumenism, Congar's ecclesiological context offers premises which, from an ecumenical stand point, are more potentially productive than the conclusions that he draws. For example, despite the fact that he has constantly emphasized the Spirit's role in the Church, he relates the Spirit of the historical Jesus (i.e., Jesus as sent in the Spirit) exclusively to the function of the ministerial priesthood. The evolution of Congar's concept of laity and ministry might be sketched in the following way: from the Church Ministerial Priesthood Universal Priesthood sequence of his earlier days, Congar has moved on to the Church Universal Priesthood Ministerial Priesthood sequence.

6 vi Very dear Father Beauchesne, PREFACES Preface written by Yves Congar translated into English COUVENT SAINT-JACQUES , You ask me to write a word of introduction to your thesis. It is not the first that is written and that I read on your topic ["Laity and Ministry in Yves -J. Congar: Evolution, Evaluation and Ecumenical Perspectives " ]. However, in reading your exposé, which is so precise and so well documented, two sentiments came upon me. The first was one of confusion. I was reminded of these verses of Paul Claudel: " All this paper that I have accumulated behind me, There is something to cry about and something to laugh about. And what a face I would make were I condemned to re-read it... " Yet, I was admiring the fact that you have found -- in all that, which covers over thirty years of work -- such a coherence. This coherence is that of life. I am very little a " reflexive person. " I have little, perhaps too little, asked myself questions of method. My publications respond to calls that I have felt and that were linked to occurrences. I have attempted to serve theologically the people of God, " this Church that I love, " in its historical life. For sure, life itself is coherent. This is why, although I have utilize often successive categories of analysis and of exposition, in relation to the theme that I was studying -- without taking the time, and perhaps without having the strength to construct a synthesis by itself -- there exists in my work, which is successive and multiple, a coherence, a progressive development. But, it is you, who have been able to retrieve them, thanks to a study, which is extremely diligent, and to an interesting method of analysis of models. In doing so, you have revealed to me a meaning of my work of which I, myself, had not been made aware, since I had lived it in a nonreflexive way, by responding to successive calls from [within] the life of the Church. I thank you, therefore, most fraternally. I know neither to lie nor to hide my feelings. It is, therefore, most sincerely that I tell you: among the good half dozen theses dedicated to the same topic as yours, and which I have read, your work is the most penetrating and the best. It has taught me something. It has also given me the courage to carry on -- as long as God will give me the strength -- to work at the theological service of the people of God, in the direction that I have been called. I wish you to do the same, and better. It is with these sentiments that I am very fraternally and devotedly your friend. Fr. Yves M.-J. Congar

9 ix TABLE OF CONTENTS APPROVAL... II DEDICATION...III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...III ABSTRACT... IV DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM...IV METHODOLOGY OF THE DISSERTATION...IV EVALUATION AND CONCLUSIONS...V PREFACES... VI PREFACE WRITTEN BY YVES CONGAR TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH...VI PREFACE IN FRENCH WRITTEN BY YVES CONGAR...VII PREFACE HANDWRITTEN BY YVES CONGAR...VIII LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS... XI LIST OF TRANSLATED WORKS REFERRED TO...XIII INTRODUCTION... 1 DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM... 1 SOURCES OF STUDY... 5 STATUS OF RESEARCH... 6 METHODOLOGY OF THE DISSERTATION... 7 CONGAR AND THE 1930'S ECCLESIASTICAL SITUATION... 8 CHAPTER I...10 CONGAR PRIOR TO An Ecclesiological Foundation for a Theology of the Laity and Ministry Ecclesiology Theology of the Laity and Ministry Evaluation and Orientation Ecclesiology Theology of the Laity and Ministry CHAPTER II...37 CONGAR FROM 1941 TO A More Specific Ecclesiology A More Specific Theology of the Laity and Ministry Ecclesiology Theology of the Laity and Ministry Evaluation and Orientation Ecclesiology Theology of the Laity and. Ministry... 54

10 x CHAPTER III...64 CHRISTIAN CULT Heart of Congar's Theology of the Laity and Ministry The Nature of the Christian Cult The Relationship Between Christian Cult and Correlative Terms such as Priesthood, Sacrifice and Mission Evaluation and Orientation CHAPTER IV...87 CONGAR IN THE 1960'S AND EARLY 1970'S Ecclesiology and Ministries Evaluation and Ecumenical Perspectives CHAPTER V SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION What the Dissertation Has Accomplished Evaluative Conclusions APPENDIX ENGLISH TRANSLATION LEGEND ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY WORKS BY YVES CONGAR Books Periodicals WORKS BY OTHER AUTHORS Books Periodicals COPYRIGHT

18 4 offering new hopes to ecumenical endeavors. It is a known fact that, among Roman Catholics, Congar has been a most energetic pioneer in the ecumenical field. 2 His recent book Ministères et communion ecclésiale testifies to the same ecumenical spirit. For example, his acceptance of the 'ministries-ecclesial communion' relationship (as the title of the book suggests) permits him to express his ecclesiology in terms of a World Council of Churches' schema. 3 We might sketch the evolution of Congar's concept of the priesthood in the following way: from the Church Ministerial Priesthood Universal Priesthood sequence of his earlier days, Congar has moved on to the Church Universal Priesthood Ministerial Priesthood sequence. 4 This dissertation will deal with Congar's ecclesiology inasmuch as it is seen as being related to his concepts of laity and ministry. In turn, the theology of laity and ministry will be considered both in se and in their interrelationships. In this respect, some of the unresolved problems will be pointed out. The ecumenical section will deal with points of rapprochement between the Protestant and the Catholic Traditions; namely, the Church viewed as sacrament, the dialogical nature of both hierarchy and laity, the maternal or generating function of the whole Church, the place of the ordained ministry within God's People, the sacramental nature of the ordained ministry, the role of the community with regard to the ordained ministry, the ordained ministry as one among ministries within the community, and finally, the role of the ordained ministry itself. Points of éloignement will also be discussed; namely, the role of pneumatology in ecclesiology, the global 1 See above pp. 1 and below pp Prior to 1937, Congar wrote some 15 articles on ecumenism. See J. P. Jossua, Le Père Congar: La théologie au service du peuple de Dieu (Paris: Cerf, 1967), pp We are referring here to the following schema (in MCE, p. 38, note 12, R Gavalda, Le Mouvement oecuménique [Paris:1959] pp ). See WCC schema on the next page. 4 Here, in his critique of this thesis (see above p.2, n. 3, italics). Congar uses the following sequence formulation: "Church Communauté des baptisés [Community of the baptized rather than universal priesthood] ministerial priesthood".

19 5 and/or special mission of the Church, and the structuration of the Church itself with regard to ministry. With regard to ecumenism, there remain in Congar some basic unresolved problems. However, as we shall mention later, it appears to us that Congar's ecclesiological context offers premises which, from an ecumenical standpoint, are more potentially productive that the conclusion that he draws. 1 Sources of Study The sources of our study are indicated in the bibliography. 2 First and foremost, they consist in Congar's own works, consulted and referred to in the original French editions, and dealt with chronologically. The works used in the evaluative sections of this dissertation are enumerated and justified at the appropriate places. 3 The Protestant studies consulted and referred to are the following: Groupe des Dombes, Pour une réconciliation des ministères, éléments d'accord entre catholiques et protestants, 4 Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue: Eucharist and Ministry, 5 The Canterbury Statement, 6 Faith and Order Louvain, 1971, 7 Fourth World Conference on Faith and Order, Montreal, 1963, 8 Planning for Mission. 9 The titles of the first two studies (Groupe des Dombes and Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue) clearly indicate the relevance these hold with regard to the evaluative section of Chapter IV of our dissertation (Evaluation and Ecumenical Perspectives). 1 See below, pp.120 ff. 2 Selected Bibliography, see below, pp Re. Evaluation sections, see below, pp. 26 ff.; pp. 51 ff.; p. 104 ff. 4 "Groupe des Dombes, Pour une réconciliation des Ministères, éléments d'accord entre catholiques et protestants," La Documentation catholique, (4 fév. 1973), pp , henceforth cited as Dombes. 5 Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue: Eucharist and Ministry, xv (Washington: U. S. Catholic Conference; New York: Lutheran World Federation, 1970), henceforth cited as Lutherans. 6 The "Canterbury Statement", Origins, National Catholic Documentary Service, Vol. II, # 26 (Dec. 20, 1973), pp. 401, , henceforth cited as Anglican. as Louvain. 7 Faith and Order Louvain, 1971 (Geneva: World Council of Churches, 1971), henceforth cited 8 Fourth World Conference on Faith and Order, Montreal (New York: Association Press, 1963), henceforth cited as Montreal. 9 Thomas Wieser, Ed., Planning for Mission (New York: The U. S. Conference for the World Council of Churches, 1966), henceforth cited as Planning.

20 6 The Canterbury Statement is an agreed statement on ministry and ordination between Anglicans and Roman Catholics. Faith and Order Louvain, 1971 comprises chapters on: "The Ordained Ministry" (pp ), "Where Is the Spirit Leading?" (Studies on Renewal and Order [pp ] and "On the Way to Communion in the Sacrament", (Studies on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry [pp ]). Fourth World Conference on Faith and Order, Montreal deals with reports on "The Church and the Purpose of God" (pp ), and "The Redemptive Work of Christ and the Ministry of His Church" (pp ), "Worship and the oneness of Christ's Church" (pp ), and "'All in Each Place': the Process of Growing Together" (pp ). Finally, Planning for Mission includes chapters on "The Church in the World" (pp ) and "Missionary Presence" (pp ), with sections on "The Witness of the Layman in the Secular World" and "Ministry and Ministries." Status of Research The theology of the laity and ministry in Congar in the context of his ecclesiology has already been dealt with. Two major works on Congar are: Le Père Congar: La théologie au service du peuple de Dieu, by Jean-Pierre Jossua 1 and Fin d'une église cléricale?, by Paul Guilmot. 2 Both studies explore Congar's ecclesiology and theology of the laity and ministry in a synthetical way. Moreover, the latter especially emphasizes Congar's teachings inasmuch as they are reflected in the following works: Vrai et fausse réforme dans l'eglise, Chrétiens désunis, Esquisses du mystère de l'église, Jalons pour une théologie du laïcat, and Sacerdoce et laïcat. Several doctoral dissertations have been written about Congar's theology of the Church, of the laity and ministry. Our investigation in this regard included an inquiry to Congar who responded with, "...on a fait un peu partout des thèses sur moi." And then, he enumerated some of the works in question ). 1 Jean-Pierre Jossua, Le Père Congar: La théologie au service du peuple de Dieu (Paris: Cerf, 2 Paul Guilmot, Fin d'une église cléricale? (Paris: Cerf, 1969), Chap. III, "Une synthèse théologique", pp For example, A. Rudoni, "La théologie du laïcat", Rome, (1969); P.J.R. Ceschi, "L'Apostolat des laïcs", Rome, (1971); M. Cloet, "Laïcat et Ministère", Collegio Belga, Rome.

LA PERSONNE SPÉCIALE These first questions give us some basic information about you. They set the stage and help us to begin to get to know you. 1. Comment tu t appelles? What is your name? Je m appelle

GCSE Bitesize Controlled Assessment Model 1 (for C/C+ grade) Question 2 Subject: Topic: French Speaking In this document you will find practical help on how to improve your grade. Before you start working

The Skill of Reading French By the end of this session... ALL of you will be able to recognise words A LOT of you will be able to recognise simple phrases SOME of you will be able to translate a longer

Sent: 11 May 2011 10:53 Subject: Please find attached a revised amendment letter, extending the contract until 31 st December 2011. I look forward to receiving two signed copies of this letter. Sent: 10

THAT the proposed clause 6(1), as set out in Clause 6(1) of the Bill, be replaced with the following: Trustee to respond promptly 6(1) A trustee shall respond to a request as promptly as required in the

GCSE Bitesize Controlled Assessment Model 2 (for A/A* grade) Question 4 Subject: Topic: French Speaking In this document you will find practical help on how to improve your grade. Before you start working

CHAPITRE 1 NOM DATE 1 UNE AMIE ET UN AMI VOCABULAIRE Mots 1 1 - Mélanie Boucher Here is a picture of Mélanie Boucher. Write a story about her. You may want to use some of the following words Paris petite

Promotion of bio-methane and its market development through local and regional partnerships A project under the Intelligent Energy Europe programme Contract Number: IEE/10/130 Deliverable Reference: W.P.2.1.3

page: pro10 1. quelqu'un, quelque chose 2. chacun vs. aucun 3. more indefinite pronouns A pronoun replaces a noun which has been mentioned or is obvious from context. An indefinite pronoun refers to people

GCSE Bitesize Controlled Assessment Model 2 (for A/A* grade) Question 3 Subject: Topic: French Writing In this document you will find practical help on how to improve your grade. Before you start working

COMMISSION FOR THE COMPENSATION OF VICTIMS OF SPOLIATION RESULTING FROM THE ANTI-SEMITIC LEGISLATION IN FORCE DURING THE OCCUPATION (Decree 99-778 of September 10, 1999) Case Number : (to remind in all

General information 120426_CCD_EN_FR Dear Partner, The new consumables catalogue from Medisoft is now updated. Please discover this full overview of all our consumables available to you. To assist navigation

Version officielle en français disponible ici POSTING APPLICATION OF THE PAY EQUITY ACT (SECTIONS 76.3 AND 76.4) PAY EQUITY AUDIT WITHIN THE PAY EQUITY PLAN OF THE CONSEIL DU TRÉSOR FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN

1 2. APPOINTMENT OF ASSOCIATE MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HEALTH IN CAMERA - PERSONAL MATTERS ABOUT IDENTIFIABLE THE BOARD OF HEATLH REFERRED THE FOLLOWING REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL: 1. That Council

DISS.ETH NO. 15802 Forthcoming Database A Framework Approach for Data Visualization Applications A dissertation submitted to the SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ZURICH for the degree of Doctor of

MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT Common Assessment Task 2 YEAR 9 Je m appelle Ma classe Mark 20 10 19 23 13 15 Total Effort Instructions For this extended piece of homework, you are going to write about the

Contents National 4 French Reading; Context: Learning (questions extracted from General past papers) Question Topic Learning in context (Forum: should you do holidays? Solène replies) Learning in context

#4 EN FRANÇAIS CI-DESSOUS Preamble and Justification This motion is being presented to the membership as an alternative format for clubs to use to encourage increased entries, both in areas where the exhibitor

21 SEPTEMBER 2015 TO 23 JUNE 2016 Campus de la Grande Boissière Route de Chêne 62 1208 Geneva Ecole Internationale de Genève International School of Geneva WELCOME campus offers different levels of French

Adjectives French adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. This means that the exact shape of the adjective will change, depending on whether the noun is masculine or feminine

Single photon source made of single nanodiamonds This project will consist in studying nanodiamonds as single photon sources. The student will study the emission properties of such systems and will show

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE REPORTS OF JUDGMENTS, ADVISORY OPINIONS AND ORDERS JUDGMENT NO. 2867 OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION UPON A COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST

FIRST PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED 22 DECEMBER 2014 TO THE BASE PROSPECTUS DATED 10 JUNE 2014 CAISSE D'AMORTISSEMENT DE LA DETTE SOCIALE Établissement public national administratif (French national public

ONTARIO Court File Number at (Name of court) Court office address Applicant(s) (In most cases, the applicant will be a children s aid society.) Full legal name & address for service street & number, municipality,

FOR OFFICIAL USE C Total 000/403 NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 00 TUESDAY, MAY.30 PM.30 PM FRENCH STANDARD GRADE Credit Level Reading Fill in these boxes and read what is printed below. Full name of centre Town

Chapter 3, lesson 1 Has Claire switched off the lights? Yes, she has. She has already switched off the lights. Have Clark and Joe made reservation at a hotel? No, they haven t. They haven t made reservation

One of the pillars of my mandate as governor general of Canada is supporting families and children. This is just one of the reasons why my wife, Sharon, and I are delighted to extend greetings to everyone

eid Trends in french egovernment Liberty Alliance Workshop April, 20th 2007 French Ministry of Finance, DGME Agenda What do we have today? What are our plans? What needs to be solved! What do we have today?

To ensure the functioning of the site, we use cookies. We share information about your activities on the site with our partners and Google partners: social networks and companies engaged in advertising and web analytics. For more information, see the Privacy Policy and Google Privacy &amp Terms.
Your consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.